49ers: 5 matchups to watch in NFC divisional round vs. Vikings

Vikings vs. 49ers: 5 matchups to watch in NFC divisional round

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 25: Cordarrelle Patterson #84 of the Minnesota Vikings gets knocked out of bounds at the three yard line by Tramaine Brock #26 of the San Francisco 49ers after Patterson gained six yards on a pass play in the third quarter at Candlestick Park on August 25, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 34-14. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

2 of 6

Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Deebo Samuel vs. Xavier Rhodes

Rookie wide receiver Deebo Samuel finished the year strong, which put him on Pro Football Focus‘ 2019 All-Rookie Team.

A well-deserved honor, yes. But Samuel and many of the other younger 49ers players are about to find out the NFL playoffs are an entirely different kind of animal.

Fortunately, the Niners have gone through playoff-like contests for the better part of two months now, and Samuel has the chance to take advantage of one of the more questionable defenders in the league, Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes.

Not too long ago, Rhodes was one of the more reliable and consistent defensive backs in the league. But that hasn’t been the case this year at all.

According to PFF, Rhodes finished the regular season as the No. 116 ranked cornerback out of 123 qualifiers. PFF also tagged Rhodes with four touchdowns allowed, along with a 127.8 passer rating allowed when opponents’ quarterbacks targeted him.

Those aren’t good stats.

With the Vikings defense likely to shift the majority of attention on tight end George Kittle and fellow wideout Emmanuel Sanders, Samuel should get plenty of chances to provide a serious impact for San Francisco, offensively.